Disk brake construction



y 25, 1944- G..K. NE IWELL 2,354,604

\ DISK BRAKE CONSTRUCTION Filed April 1, 1942 Iigl INVENTOR George K. 'NeweZl BY ATTORNEY Patented July 25,1944

v UNITED STATES PATEN rossics DISK BRAKE pONSTBUGIION George K. Newell, near Pitcairn, Pa., assignor to The Westinghouse Air; Brake Company, Wilmerding, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application April 1 1942, Serial No. 437,115

16 Claims.

This invention relates to disk brake construction of the type embodying interleaved rotatable and non-rotatable braking elements or disks for irictionally engagingeach other to eflect braking of a vehicle wheel or other member to be braked and more particularly to means for disengaging from each other the disks of a brake mechanism for effecting a release of brakes.

One object of the invention'is the provision of novel brake releasing means for disengaging the brake elements of a disk brakemechani'sm.

'In disk brake mechanism, helical type coil springs arranged with their axes parallel to the axes fof the braking disks have usually been employed for moving the disks out of braking interengagement to'their brake release positions.- In certain structures the release springs have.

been located at one end of the pile of disks and each spring has been connected to all of the like disks in the pile while in certain other structures required for their deflection not being available' in the particular location where it was desired to use. this structure. Thus whilethis McCune structure is objectionable from the standpoint oi the large number of springs, a structure using only one third the number of springs, each connected toall of the stators, is also'objectionable at least in this one specific instance from the V standpoint of compactness and utility.

Another object oi the invention is therefore the provision of release means for the disks of a multi disk brake mechanism which obviates the objections to both the "release structures above described.

According to this object. Lemploy flat spiral springs, that is, springs of the type in which'the the springs have been in the form of individual springs for each brake disk. Such'structures haveoperated as intended but each embodies certain limitations or undesirable characteristics which will now be discussed.

Inthe first place it is well understood. that,

the space required for the installation and operation of a helical type coil spring is dependent upon its deflection or change in length in use. Now if such a spring is operatively connectedto several axially movable elements for moving same from brake application positions to brake release positions, the deflectionequals substan tially the aggregate of the spacing of the severalv mechanism for a particular use requiring compactness. To obtainthis compactness three individual release springs were employed foreach brake stator making aftotal of nine springs for the three stators. Three springs, each otwhich would have been connected to all of the stators. could not have been used in this structure due to therelatively great space which would have been line 4-4 in Fig. 1.

coilsiare wound from a center aroundoneanothenin' contrast to the coil type spiral spring, in

which the spring is wound in the form of ahelixt for moving the disks to their release positions.

The center of each of the flat spiral springs is fixed or anchored against movement while the outer end is connected to each or the several brake-disks to be moved thereby limiting the number oi. these springs required to the mini-.

mum above described and overcoming the objections to the large number employed in a structure where individual springs are used for each disk such as disclosed in the above referred to application.

The deflection of a flat spiralsprin ured by the unwinding and winding up or the spring with a relatively small change in spring diameter, so that such springs require only a v relatively small space for installation and operation and thus permit the design of a structure substantially as compact as that disclosed in the above referred to McCu'ne application ,without however the above described objectionthereto.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent iromthe following more detailed description of the invention. I 1

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is asectional view taken horizontally through a disk I brake mechanism embodying the invention; Fig.

2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 22 in Fig; 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line, 3-3 in Fig, 1; and Fig. 4 is a sectional view oi certain parts of the brake mechanism shown inj'ig. 1 and taken Description In the drawing thereierence numeral I in'dicates a portion of a driving axle housingof a I substantially on the vehicle which contains ,an axle (not shown) adapted to be driven by a ring gear 2 contained in said housing for propelling the vehicle. The ring gear I is in mesh'with a driving pinion 8 provided on one end of a shaft 4 which is supported in a ball hearing I carried by the housing. One end of a driving sleeve 8 is splined to the end of pinion sha'itJ 'outside o'fthe housing i and is secured thereto by .a washer I which is clamped by a nut secured to shaft 4 against an internal shoulder I provided m sleeve I. The opposite end of the driving sleeve issecured by 1 welding to a ring or flange lowhich is connected .by' bolts II to a collar or flange 12 provided'on'i'" The propeller shaft ll may be connected to any suitable prime one end of a propeller shaft I3.

mover, such as an internal combustion engine which may be used for propelling the vehicle, and as will be apparent, driving power applied to said-shaft will be transmitted thro h sleeve 6, pinion shaft 4, gears 8 and 2 to the dirving axle ment while all of the other stators are movable axially. The outer face of the stator 82 is enused We pressure ring I1.

The several spacer elements 'Il arezprovided either side of a central tongueil-extcnding longitudinally thereof with an 'arcuate .-'surface 8| formed concentric with the axis of the driving sleeve l and extending parallel thereto. outer peripheries'of the pressure ring I1 and stators 32, II, and 34 are arranged to substantially contact these surfaces for supporting said ring and stators in coaxial relation with the rotors and providing also for axial movement of said 1 stators relative to the.driving sleeve I either .in the direction of or away fromthe fixed stator ll.

The tongue projecting inwardly from :each spacer 2| extends into slots provided in the outer edges of the pressure ring .31 and stators ill-II.

' and forholding said ring and stators against and thereby the wheels connected to said axlefor propelling the vehicle. a

the axle housing .I by bolts II is a cover. H which ensues, the outer end of .ball

bearing I forholding same in place.

rotation and each tongue is formed with three steps stepped inwardly in a direction away from the ring. to provide shoulders 4| and '4! .for engagement .by the stators 34 and 1|, respec- .tively, .to define their .brake "release positions in The cover II is providedwith a plurality of outwardly extending supporting lugs or 'ribs ilvwhich, at their outer ends, are. connectedito and support a circular plate or ring l| arranged in coaxial relationlwith. the driving sleeve v|. Three spacer elen'ient'sj, equally spaced lfrom eachother'.

whichthey are shown.

The ring I. is provided with three bores equally spaced from each other around the ring and extending parallel to the axis of the ring.

and secured by welding in each of thesebores is the open end of a brake cylinder 4| which projectsfrom the ring in the direction toward around the sleeve l, have one end secured by bolts II to ,theright-hand face of ring. The oppositeends of the elements '2l.are secured by bolts 22 tothegleftehand face of a ring 1|.

Three annular disk-like rotating brake elements or rotors 2',- 2|, and 21? disposed between ,the ringsfllfand I3. encircle th e driving sleeve theaxle housing I. A brake cylinder piston 44 is siidably mounted in each of the cylinders 4| and is provided with a piston rod 4|, the outer end of which engages the pressure ring '81. The ring .31 is provided with bores smaller than the diameter of rods 4| to receive reduced end 'portions 4| of the rods for supporting sameand: '-thereby the pistons 44 in working relation to the cylinders 48. The left-hand end of each piston 44 is arranged to engage'the closed end of the cylinder 43 to thereby define, through the medium of rod 45 and ring I l, the brake release posi- .tion of the stator 82.

Each brake cylinder 48 is provided with a port 4| which opens to a pressure chamber 41 provided at'the faceof piston opposite that from which the rod 4| projects. A circular pipe an- 2|. 2|, and 21 are defined by contact with'shoulders 1|, II, and 3|, respectively, provided on the sleeve]. For moving the brake rotors to their release positions several ilikesets of springs are 7 provided which 'are spaced from each 'other 2 aroundfthe sleevel and supported atone end '55 by a ring 3|. Only a portion of these springs is shown in Fig. 1, but in Fig. 4 is shown one complete set which comprises a spring i4 acting" on the rotor 21, a spring is freely extending through a suitable bore in rotor I'I'and acting on the rotor 2|, and athird spring 24 which freely 7 extends through suitable openings in therotors I! and 2| and acts on the rotor 2|. All of these springs are under compression and it'will be'apparent that they are effectivetourae the sev-' eral rotors'into contact'with their respective re-' leaseposition defining "shoulders 2| tof|0 on sleeve has shown in the drawing.

. A plurality of non -rotatablevbrake elements-o1 3 stators 32, 33, 34 and 35 areinterleaved with the rotors 25 to Trim-coaxial relation therewith and with the stator 35 disposed at one end of the' pile in contact with the ring 23 and with the stator 32 disposed at the opposite end of the pile. The stator 35 is rigidly secured to the ring 23 by rivets and is thus fixed against axial movecircles the axle housing I outside the portion containing the ball bearing I and .is welded to each "of the .brahe'cylinders 4| over the port 4| and is provided with a port "4| which registers with the port 4| to'thereby connect the several pressure chambers 41 to the interior of the pipe.

' The pipe is in turn connected to a pipe ll through'which fluid under pressure may be'supplied to and released from the several brake cylinder pressure chambers 41 for controlling 'the.

brakes.

The brake .mechanism parts as so far described may .be identical to corresponding parts 10! a brake mechanism fully disclosed in the aforementioned copending application of Joseph C. Mc'Cune, in view of which a further and more detained description of thestructure thereof is not deemed essential in this application.

The invention comprises means for moving.

brake elements to their release positions, and for the purpose of illustration; is applied in the present embodiment to the stators 34, 3|, and .32 and thereby to'the ring 31 and brake cylinder'piston 44, it being recalled from the above description that the release positions of the stators and 3| are'deiined by contact with shoulders 40 and 4| on the spacers 20, while the release position of the stator I! is dednedby the; positioninwhieh the'pressure ring I! is stopped-'by-the brake cylinder pistons 44* when said: pistons engage-the closed end of the-brake cylinder-e48; 1;

According tothe inventionthe ring. it is; provided between each twobrake' cylinders. with two spaced. lugs Ii: extending outwardly iron the left-hand face. thereof. Each-oi these lugs. provided atits end with is lawand in the Jaws oij these lugs. between. each; two brake cylinders I. are iournaied the opposite ends oi'a torsion pin: I! having a central enlarged. section for engage-- ment. with the inner laces oi the endwise: movement of the pin.

Eachtcrsion pin 52 'extendsthroughthe 01,, and is encircled by. the'coilsoi? a list spiral spring It, the inner. end of which is suitably anlugsto limit:

is nippiied through the the: m

cylinder devices; suiilcient degree. of pressure is thus obtained-lnchanrbers- 47 on the brake cylinder pistons. to overcome the opposing icrce or torsion springs: 58- applied tostator II, said pistons start moving in. the direction 01 the; right-hand; and; move -the pressure ring. l1

. amithe-stator relatives-to the-spacers. 2| inthe chored the pin.. The outer mi 0! each ofthe; V

spiral springs It extends through happening It provided. in the ring ll at agreaterdistanceirom the axes. ot the several: stators braking: iaces or the stators andiis provided with a-Ioop which encircles a pin ll carried "by a rod ll.

m n or the release: rods. It extends parallei to.

direction of? andinto contact. with the, rotor II;

movement of. the brake cylinder pistons then eifects: further movement. of the stator 32. and cauasrtherotor. ii; to move in the. direction oi and into contact. withthe stator It. In this manner as the. pistons 44 continue; to. moveytoward. the. right-hand all 01 the brake elements are moved first into: contact with one and then another until the: rotor 21' engages the fixed stator ill.

the axis o1' the brake elements through openings I1 provided in common, 38., and

' 34 outside of the braking faces thereof. Each of the rods. it carries three washers-ll. II; and II. disposed to engage the sides of stators: to M, respectively, opposite. the sides adjacent the spring ll. These washers arerisidly secured-to each rod. in the same spaced relation as thesta, tors I! to I when in. their brake 'releaseposb tions as. defined by engagement oi the brake cylinder pistons 41 with ends of the brake cylinders ll and by shoulders I and ll,- respeotively.

Each opening n in the: statorszis connected by,

a slot II to the outeredgeoi thestatorsto permit insertion oi the rod II mm the edgeci the stators into saidopening. In one of the such as the stator 12, the: openings." may bef provided at the bottom of recesses pressed into; the stator forreceiving the washers II, as shown in Fig. 1,. these and washers being arranged. to cooperate to hold the rods II from be- Aiter each rod It has been applied through aligned slots II to openings I in the stators 82 coming disengaged from the statorsby falling or working out of the openings l1 and slots Ii.

to as shown mm. 1, thenv byme'ans of. a '2 applied to a bore ll through the torsion pinsi2 the-latter may be turned to wind up the torsion springs. II to obtain a required or desired tension or force of thespringson the rods II for pullins the ststor'element It, It, and. to their release positions shown in Fig. I, it being noted that this force from springs ll must also be suiii'clent in this brake mechanism to move the pressure ring 81' andbrakecylinder pistons Jl-to their release positions. To facilitate winding of the spiral springs 43 the torsion, pins I! may be provided with more than one bone I! as shown inv Fig. 2, for the reception of a pin such as I. When the proper or. desired tension of the springs "has been obtained, the-pin 02 in each torsion pin 52' may be allowed to turn back into contact with the ring I! which will thensecurely hold the respective spring under the desired. do.

gree oi'tension.

- Operation In operation, let it be .initiaIIyassumedQth at the brake cylinder pressure chambers ll aredevoid of iluid under pressure, under which con of the brake elements now in tricti'onal interengagement, the, stators create a drag on; the. rotors to a" degree: dependent upon the pressure; oi'iluid acting on the brake cylinder pistons M and this. drag el'iects a corresponding degree of braking. oi the drive sleeve I snd'thereby,

through thegears! and; 2, cr me driving axle and wheels of the vehicle tor-either retarding or bringingthe vehicle to'a stop; Thedegree oi braking. thus obtained depends upon the force with which the several brake elements arepres'sed into inter-engagement and any desired degree maybeattainedby providing the proper pressureioi fluid'in the brakecylinder pressure chambers l1, aswill'be'apparent. It: willbe noted'that as theseveral brake elements. or dlsksare moved into'braking engagement. as Just described, the initialmovement of,

therstator element 32 is opposed by and causes a certaindegree oiwindlng up of the several flat spiral springs II. and also causes. movement of the washers II and out of contact .with' the stators l8"- and 34. the. stator: element It continues: to=move under action of the brake cylin-' der pistons toita iinal. braking position, a fur the: winding up of coil-"springs It occurs, itibeing noted however thatv at no time with. the

brakesapplied do the washers and II contact I the-stators II and 34. In: other-wordsallwinding up of the coil'springs It in eflectingian' ap- J plication oi'ibrakes. is. attained by axial movement of the stator: 32 andlit shouldi'be' noted. that. the

degree of such movement-equalsathe aggregate off-the spaces between all. of the rotors and statorswhenin their brake; release positions as shown-in Hgol; In eflecting an application of brakes the springs I", ll; andll' are compressed by movementor the rotors 2.1, it, and 2.5, respectively, to

their-brake applying positions. 1

- Inorder-tc'release. the: brakes after an applicati'om-i'iuid under .pressurei's released from the pressure-chambers in the several brake cylin- I der devices a. When this occurs, the several" spiral sprinssll acting on the stator 32 return same and thereby the-pressure-ring U and brake cylinder pistons: H 'to their release positions shown in the drawing and. defined by contact betweensaid pistons andthe end of the brake cyllnders ll; At the same time as the stator 32' is thus returned to itsrelease position, the springs apply. the brakesriiuld.

7 v Pipe t and through the; ports: u and I: into thepressure-ehamber Ill of the-brake- 4 v It, II, and u return'the rotors 21,10, and u to their release positions, and" during'such movement the washers "and II on the rods ll move into contact with'the stators'ii'and'fl-andpull same to their release positions defined by contact shoulders u and u on the spaobetween the Summary? V v H ,It now be seen that the flat spiral springs ll appliedrin the present embodiment of the invention to the stators of a disk brake mechanam ng wound up and thus become reduced in diameter upon movement of the stators to eflect an applicationoi' brakes, and as said statorsare. returned to their release positions under the tenoi' saidspring to eil'ece a release of brakes the diameters oi thesprings become slightly enlarged. In other words, the diameter of the spiral springs unsung operation oi the brake mechanism changes, but the change is relatively assaeos '4. A brake mechanism comprising in combina' tion a relatively fixed member, a plurality oi axially aligned brake elements having brake release positions in which said elements are spaced irom each other and being movable axially from said release'positiona into frictional interengagement to eilect an application of brakes, spiral spring means" carried by and having one endianchored 4 to said iixed member, and means connecting the other end 01' said spring means to said brake elements for rendering said spring means effective to urgesaid brake elements to their respective release 'positions and providing for movement of said brake elements out of their release positions.

5. A brakemechanism comprising in combination, a relatively ilxed member, a plurality of axially aligned brake elements having brake release positions in which said elements are arranged in spaced apart relation and being movable axially small although-providing 'a. deflection of the springs which, with a helical typecoil spring would requires springer relatively great length 7 and therefore amuchgreater degree of space in a brake mechanism. ,The use ,or flat spiral springs thus provide-tor obtaining a brake mechanismlwhich is relatively compact and thus capable of use under circumstances which helical type coil springs would prohibit; Moveover, due to the relatively small change in size or the spiral iiat springs it they are particularlyadapted for th'e'cont'rolof a plurality of brake elements, as 1 will semen apparent,

, Having now described as new'a'nddesireto-secure by Letters Pat- "3M l. A brake tion a relatively flxed member, a brake disk movable axially relative to said member to eirect an application of. brakes, andfa plurality of flat spiraltorsion springs arranged in spaced relation mechanism comprising in combine.

nvention, what I with respect-to the periphery; of said disk and each having one;;end .anchored. to. said member" and its .other end; connected to said-brake elementsand operative to move said "element ,rela

tive'to' said member to effect a release oi brakes. l 1A. brake mechanisnicomprising in combination, a relatively nxed memberg a brake disk car- 7 ried bysaid member and movable axially in one.

direction to elect anapplication of brakes and inithe opposite direction for effecting a release of brakes, means i'or moving said-brakediskin one of its directions 01 movement, and-a plurality of torsion, springs having ;one end anchored to spaced portions of saidmember and the other 'end connected to said brake disk and operative to" oppose movement 01' said brake disk by said I means and to move said'brake direction or movement.

8. Abrake mechanism comprising in combination, a relatively ilxed member, a plurality of codisk in theother axially aligned, brake elements movable axially in one direction into frictional in'terengagement to eiIect braking, and movable axially in the -oppo-- site directioninto spaced apartrelation to eilect a release otbrak'es, means for moving said'brake elements in one of said directions, flat spiral spring means carried by and having one end anchored to said member, and means connecting the other endot said spring means to said brake elements, the tensionpi said spring means being operative through the connecting means to move said brake elements in the other'of-said directions."

from said'positions to eilect an application of brakes, stops engageable by said brake elements for defining the release positions thereof, spiral spring means carried by and having one end anchored to said fixed member, and means connecting the opposite end of said spring means to said brake elements for rendering said spring 7 "by having one end anchored to said member, and means connecting theopposite end of each 01? said springs to each'o! said brake elements for rendering said springs eflective to urge said brake elements into engagement .with their respective stops, said springs providing-tor movement of said elements out of contact with said stops to eflect an application or brakes.

'l. A brake comprising in combination a relativelyiixed member, a plurality of coaxially alignedbrake elements movable in one direction to eirect an application of brakes and movable in the opposite direction to brake release positions in which said elements are spaced from each "other, spaced stop means engageable by saidelement's in said release positions for delining such positions, a plurality 01 release meansv associated with said brake elements and arranged to engage same when in said'spaced apart relation for urging said brake elements into contact with said stop means, a flat spiral. spring for each of said release means carried by and having one end anchored to said member, and

means'connecting the opposite end of each spiralspring to one or said release means for rendering the spring-e'ilective to urge the brake elements into contact with said stop means andproviding for movement or said elements out oi contact with said stopmeans.

t 8. A brake mechanism comprising in combination, an annular relatively fixed member, a plurality of coaxially aligned v annular brake elements disposed at one side of said member and movable axially in one direction relative to said memberto eflect an application of brakes and in the opposite direction a release of brakes, a plurality of fiat'spiral springs spaced from each other around and having one end anchored to said member, and means connecting the other end of each or said springs to each of said brake elements, said-springs being operative through the respective connecting means to move said brake elements in said opposite direction relaative to said member. 7

9. A brake mechanism comprising in combination, an annular relatively fixed member, a plurality of coaxially'aligned annular brake ele-' ments disposed at one side of said member and movable axially in one direction relative to said member to eflect an application of brakes and in the opposite direction arelease of brakes, a

plurality of rods spaced apart from each other in a circle coaxial with said brake elements, means on each rod arranged to engage each brake element'for moving the several :brake elements in the direction for releasing the brakes upon movement of the respective rod in the same (11 rection, a fiat spiral spring for each rod carried by and having one end anchored to said fixed member to effect an application of brakes and in the opposite direction a release of brakes, a

in a circle coaxial with said brake elements and extending in the direction parallel to the axis or said brake elements," each rod extending through aligned openings in-the several brake elements, a release member secured to each rod for contact with each brakeelement for moving same in said opposite direction for releas ing the brakes, and a flat spiral spring for each rod carried by and having one end anchored to said fixed member, and means connecting the opposite ends of said springs to the respective rods to thereby rendersaid springs effective to actuate said rods for moving the brake elements in said opposite direction for releasing the brakes.

11. A brake mechanism comprising in combination, an annular relatively fixed member, a plurality of coaxially aligned annular brake elements disposed at one side of said member and movable axially in one direction relative to said member to effect an application of brakes and in the'opposite direction a release of brakes, a plurality of rods spaced apart from each other in a circle coaxial with said brake elements and extending in the direction parallel to the axis of said Ibrake elements, each rod extending through aligned openings in the several brake elements, a release member secured to each rod for contact with each brake element ior moving same in said opposite direction for releasing the brakes, spring means carried by said fixed member and acting on said rods for moving said.

brake elements in said opposite direction for releasing the brakes, and a slot connecting each of said openings to the outer periphery oi the respective brake elements, said slots providing for application and removal of said rods to and from said aligned openings.

I plurality of rods spaced apart from each other g 12. A brake mechanism comprising in combination, an annular relatively fixedniember, a plurality of coaxially aligned annular brake elements disposed at one side ot said member and movable axially in one direction relative to said member to eiIect an application of brakes and in the opposite direction a release of brakes, a plurality of rods'spaced apart from each-other in a circle coaxial with said brake elements and extending in the direction parallel to the axis of said brake elements, each rod extending through aligned openings in the several brake elements, a release member secured to each rod for contact with each brake element-for moving same in said opposite direction for releasing the brakes, spring means carried by said fixed member and acting on said rods for moving said brake elements in said opposite directionior releasing the brakes, and a slot connecting each of said openings to the outer periphery of the respective brake elements, said slots providingior applica tion and removal of said rods to and from'said aligned openings, one oisaid brake elements being provided with recesses'to receive the respective release members on said rods and said spring means urging such release "members into said recesses for securing said rods against'movement out of said openings and slots.

13. A brake mechanism comprising incombination, a relatively fixed annular member, a 1 plurality of annular brake elements carried by and arranged in coaxial relation with said member and'emovable in a direction away from said member for efiecting an application of brakes and in the direction of said member into spaced apart relation for effecting a release of brakes, stop means engageable' by said brake elements for defining said spaced apart relation, brake cylinder means carried by said annular member operative by fluid under pressure ioractuating said brake elements in the direction away from said member, and a plurality of fiat spiral springs equally spaced from each other around said annular member and carried thereby and havingone end secured to said member, and means connecting the opposite end 01 each of said springs to each of said'brake elements for rendering all of .said springs'efiective to urge said brake elements in the direction of said annularmember and into contact with said stop means and providing for movement of said brake elements in the opposite direction by said brake cylinder means.

14. A brake mechanism comprising in combination, a relatively fixed annular member, a plurality of annular brake elements carried by and arranged in coaxial relation with said member and movable in a direction away from said member for effecting an application of brakes and in the direction oi said member into spaced apart relation for effecting a release of brakes, stop means engageable by said brake elements for defining said spaced apart relation, 3, plurality of brake cylinders spaced from each other around and carried by said annular memberior operation by fluid under pressure to efiect movelment of said brake elements in the direction away from said annular member, and a fiat 1 stops and providing for movement of said brake elements in thevdirec tion away from said an- L nularmember by said brake cylinder {means 15. A brake mechanism comprising in combinationya relatively fixed annular member, a plurality of annular brake elements at one side of said member arranged in coaxial relation with said memberand carried thereby, brake cylinder means carried by said annular member comprising a cylinderand a reciprocatory piston therein, a rod connecting said pistonto the adjacent brake element; said' piston being operativ'e by fluid under pressure for moving said brake elements axially in a directionaway from said annular memberto effect an application of brakes, the releaseoi fluid under pressure from said cylinder providi'ng for movement of said brake elements in the direction-of said annular 1 member to brake 7 release positions, i engagement between said pistonand cylinder being arranged to define the release-position ofthe brake element adjacent saidannular member, stops engageable by the other brake elements for definmeans effective for moving the several brake elements to. their release positions. V

16. A brake mechanism comprising in combination, a relatively fixed annular member, an annular brake element arranged in coaxial relation withisaid fixed member and operative upon movement in a direction away from said memher to eifect an application of brakesand upon movement in the direction of said 'member to effect a'release of brakes, brake cylinder means carried by said member and connected to said brake element for operation by fluid under pres sure to effect movement of said brake element in the direction away from'said member, a plurality of pins spaced from each other around one side of said fixed member and arranged with their axes at right anglesto the axis of said fixed member, means associated with said fixed member providing ,journaled' connections for said pins; a fiat spiral spring carried by each of said pins and having one' and anchored thereto, means connecting the opposite end of said springs to said brake element, and means associated with each of said pins operative to turn same and thereby place the respectivespring un der tension for pulling said brake element in the direction of said fixed member, and means for securing each of said pins in an adjusted condition.

GEORGE K. NEWELL. 

